Theoretical analysis on the behaviour of short fatigue cracks

Based on the Navarro–Rios model, the boundaries of short crack growth are predicted. Theoretical analysis reveals that the extent of short crack growth regime is principally governed by the relation between the fatigue limit and the cyclic yield stress of the material. Materials with low values of σFL/σcy show extensive short crack behaviour, while in material with high values of σFL/σcy short crack behaviour is very limited. The results of the analysis are validated with experimental data.